Bemisia tabaci species complex (whitefly) is one of the most dangerous pests that destroy many important crops worldwide. It causes damage to the host plant by feeding on phloem sap as well as transmitting a wide range of devastating plant viruses (especially begomoviruses) that cause severe epidemics on crops. To fend off the menace, modern genomic-based strategies have been adapted to minimize the crop losses due to this destructive pest. Genetic engineering techniques, e.g., transgenics and RNA interference (RNAi) have shown promising results in controlling B. tabaci in plants; however, these techniques often face challenges due to the concerns about GMOs in food crops. With the enhanced knowledge about B. tabaci genomics, new technologies, e.g., manipulation of microbiota or CRISPR-based genome editing have shown promising results in several insect pests and could have an instrumental role in controlling agricultural pests including whitefly. Genome editing is an eco-friendly approach that can be employed to suppress or even destroy the target species. In this review, we have discussed B. tabaci as a pest and advancement in control strategies of B. tabaci. Various potential targets for genome editing have also been discussed that could be used in gene-editing technologies for the efficient management of B. tabaci and the viruses it transmits. Finally, we also outlined the future perspective and effective use of genome editing technology in developing CRISPR-based gene drive for whitefly population modification, suppression, and eradication.

烟粉虱 物种复合体（粉虱）是最危险的害虫之一，可破坏全球许多重要农作物。它通过以韧皮部汁液为食以及传播广泛的破坏性植物病毒（尤其是贝戈莫病毒）对寄主植物造成损害，这些病毒会在农作物上引起严重的流行病。为了抵御这种威胁，现代基于基因组的策略已被采用，以尽量减少由于这种破坏性害虫造成的作物损失。基因工程技术， 例如转基因和 RNA 干扰 (RNAi) 已在控制 植物中的烟粉虱 方面显示出有希望的结果 。然而，由于担心粮食作物中的转基因生物，这些技术经常面临挑战。随着对烟粉虱 基因组学、新技术 的深入了解 ，例如， 微生物群的操作或基于 CRISPR 的基因组编辑已在几种害虫中显示出可喜的结果，并可能在控制包括粉虱在内的农业害虫方面发挥重要作用。基因组编辑是一种生态友好的方法，可用于抑制甚至破坏目标物种。在这篇综述中，我们讨论了 烟粉虱 作为害虫以及烟粉虱防治策略的 进展。还讨论了基因组编辑的各种潜在目标，这些目标可用于基因编辑技术以有效管理 烟粉虱 以及它传播的病毒。最后，我们还概述了基因组编辑技术在开发用于粉虱种群修饰、抑制和根除的基于 CRISPR 的基因驱动方面的未来前景和有效使用。